Isn’t it time we begin to redress the atrocity of this war by honouring those such as Ms. Rivera who had the courage to stand against it at such cost to themselves?

Archbishop Desmond Tutu asked this question in a powerful op-ed in the Globe & Mail in September 2012 when the Canadian government forced U.S. Iraq War resister Kimberly Rivera and her family, including two Canadian children, to return to the U.S.. Kimberly is now separated from her husband and children, and awaiting court martial at Fort Carson, Colorado.

The tremendous public outcry related to Kimberly’s case shows the deep and broad support that Canadians continue to express for Iraq War resisters. In a period of 10 days leading up to the Rivera family deportation, 20,000 people signed a petition supporting the family. Faith, labour and human rights organizations spoke out strongly in support of Kimberly. Amnesty International has adopted Kimberly as a prisoner of conscience.

And on January 26, a group of prominent Canadians including Noah Richler, Andy Barrie, Ursula Franklin, Alexandre Trudeau and Dr. John Polanyi signed an open letter, published in the Globe and Mail, that called on the government of Canada to cease all deportation orders against U.S. Iraq War Resisters.

In stark contrast to this outpouring of support from Canadians, Conservative MPs cheered when the Rivera family’s removal was announced in the House of Commons.

There are many Iraq War resisters still in Canada, facing the threat of deportation. That’s why we need you to take action. The Conservative government continues to pursue the removal of these resisters to the U.S. where they will face punishment for their conscientious decision not to take part in the illegal and immoral war.

How you can help:

1. Contact Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration & Multiculturalism asking him to make a provision to allow Iraq War resisters to stay in Canada.

2. Send a letter of support to Kimberly Rivera. The support she is receiving from Canada, the U.S., and internationally is helping her during this difficult period while she is separated from her family and awaiting court martial. Letters can be sent to: